Category: Government

The Philippines As Hacienda Luisita and Why Kris Aquino Loves Jojo Binay

September 1, 2014 P. Farol 23 Comments

All that really matters to the political and economic elite is that they continue to be the political and economic elite for as long as possible. The Philippine Constitution (pick any of one of them), the government (it doesn’t matter what form), the legislature, the court system, and all other institutions are there precisely to…

Development, Economy, Government, Politics

Why the Torre De Manila Issue Is For the Bird Brained

August 29, 2014September 13, 2014 P. Farol 30 Comments

(Updated. 091314) A friend supposedly saw an English speaking Filipino cultural activist licking his chops and gloating over his supposed victory over the enemies of the cultural elite which he claims to represent. The so-called social media “thought leader” announced his victory saying that his/her protest against the Torre De Manila has reached the senate where it is…

Culture, Development, Economy, Environment, Government, Media

DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya’s epic MRT public relations fail

August 29, 2014 benign0 14 Comments

Not surprising. Political observers gave Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya a unanimous Fail in his most recent public relations stunt. Yesterday, the 28th August, Abaya stepped up to a self-imposed challenge to prove Manila’s decrepit Metro Rail Transit was “safe”. The MRT has been beleaguered by recent high-profile mishaps, among them…

Development, Government, Lifestyle, Politics

Senator Pia Cayetano: Some proper perspective is due the whole Torre de Manila brouhaha

August 28, 2014 benign0 10 Comments

While I find a bit justified the whole stink being raised around the way the Torre de Manila highrise condominiums being constructed in Manila by developer DMCI Homes is supposedly “ruining” the view of the Rizal Monument, I think we are missing the bigger picture. Metro Manila is an ugly city. And that ugliness did…

Civics, Crime, Development, Government, Lifestyle, Media, Politics, Society

Filipino motorcycle tandem assassins: a rapidly-growing national cancer

August 27, 2014 benign0 24 Comments

So is the average Filipino life just worth 10,000 pesos (USD200)? I heard that is the average going rate for a “hit” to be delivered by a pair of assassins riding in tandem on a motorcycle in the Philippines. That’s less than a month’s work for the average Filipino city slicker and about a day’s…

Crime, Culture, Government, Society

Why do Filipinos keep voting for crooks?

August 26, 2014August 26, 2014 benign0 36 Comments

What’s in Filipinos’ heads everytime they go to the polling booth on election day? That’s the million dollar question every politician wants the answer to. For that matter, it’s the question that’s flumoxed political analysts for decades. And it is specially relevant now that much of the Executive and Legislative branches have been revealed for…

Crime, Culture, Government, Politics, Society

Noytard Free Zone

August 26, 2014 Gogs 16 Comments

I am a repeat offender. I went to last year’s abolish the pork barrel protest and as you may guess by now, things have gotten worse in the last 12 months. My one year old thoughts are found here. I am not a journalist by any stretch of the imagination. I just develop ideas and…

Filipinos are squandering the biggest opportunity they’ve ever had to abolish Pork Barrel politics!

August 25, 2014 benign0 23 Comments

Perhaps it is time members of Congress get dragged into the streets and sat before a panel of the people they “represent” and explain why they are entitled to their pork. The “debate” around why or why they shouldn’t be entitled to a slush fund to dole out to their “constituents” has gotten crazy. Pork…

Crime, Government, Media, Politics, Society